Joseph-Ignace Guillotin was a French physician and politician born on May 28, 1738. He is best known for proposing the use of a more humane method of execution during the French Revolution. His suggestion led to the invention of the guillotine, a device designed to be a quick and painless way to carry out capital punishment. Despite his association with the guillotine, Guillotin did not invent the device himself. He advocated for its use as a means to ensure equality in executions, as it was intended to replace more brutal methods. Guillotin passed away on January 26, 1814, but his name remains linked to the infamous execution device.